by Ciara Lake
“You dare to attack my castle,” Axel shouted.
Icesykcus had changed, no longer the handsome man who had knocked. He was now at least fifteen feet tall and made of animated translucent black tinted ice, a furious expression etched into the ice. Axel could see Icesykcus did not expect to see him as he was, a troll of great power. He far surpassed his mother’s abilities or that of any other troll.
The winds increased, whipping snow around Icesykcus. He moved to cross the threshold, but Axel had an invisible barrier stopping him. Icesykcus hit on it with his massive ice fist. His infuriated strikes made the entire castle shake. He was a powerful creature too.
“You have made a serious mistake, troll.” He growled, and the sound echoed. “I’ll destroy your castle, then take your wealth for my own. It’s really too bad, I was trying to be nice.” His huge ice head moved side to side. “This could have been resolved between us peacefully. But I’m not known for my patience or kindness to those who cross me.”
“We should be equally matched foes.” Axel grew in size to match his opponent. Again, Axel slammed the doors shut, ending Icesykcus’s threats.
This time Axel surrounded his castle with a supernatural barrier. It drew on his already weakened energy, draining him. The shimmering walls of the castle dimmed, turning them a light shade of gray. The remaining candlelight dimmed, casting eerie shadows. Icesykcus pushed Axel to his limits with each bang against his barrier, but Axel withheld the assaultive attacks. All he would need to do is redirect some of his power to the protection of his castle.
* * * *
Breanna raced down the steps. Stopping at the bottom, she encountered Axel in his monstrous state. He turned to watch her walk up to him. His face registered surprise which only increased with each step she came closer to him.
“I told you to stay in our room.” He was curt, his eyes narrowed.
“I decided not to. The lights dimmed, the walls changed, the fire went out. I was worried about you. So I came to check.”
Her words softened his demeanor. In fact, he looked shocked. His size returned to normal, yet his hideous troll appearance remained. He stood completely still as she approached him.
A loud bang hit the front entrance. Jumping, she raced to him. He opened his arms, catching her. She embraced him. “What’s happening, Axel? Are we under attack?”
“My mother has sent me a problem.” He glanced at the door then returned his gaze to her. “You’re not repulsed by me?”
She pulled back to look up at him. “No, this is your troll side. I understand what you are. I’ve seen it before. Let’s not talk about it now. What are we going to do about your angry visitor?”
Axel grinned at her. He looked as scary as a fiend from hell, but she hugged him again.
“Please don’t be mad at me. I couldn’t stay in the room with this going on. The ring pained me too, as if you were in pain.”
“I’m not mad at you.” He kissed the top of her head. His lips were cold. She could feel the chill through her hair.
The walls began to shake as if there were an earthquake, and a puddle of water appeared on the floor in front of the door. Breanna yelled out as an ice figure materialized. The ice had a black tint. It was in the shape of a man, an angry man.
“It’s an ice statue,” she blurted. “Is it one from your garden come alive?”
The statue turned to look at her. “No, I’m not a statue, woman.” He moved toward Breanna, appraising her openly. “Lovely woman.”
“Leave here or I’ll destroy you.” Axel stepped in front of her. “Go upstairs,” he directed Breanna.
Turning, she ran up the stairs.
“She’s mine.” Axel growled. His growl made the castle tremble too.
“Oh, you’ve been hiding a treasure. She’s lovely. I’ll take her for my own, as the replacement. She far outshines Arta’s blonde beauty. I like the more colorful female.” He peered around Axel. “Your barrier doesn’t work under the castle.” The iceman smirked. “I surprised you, huh? Got to keep thinking, troll. You relaxed.”
“I’m warning you, Icesykcus, leave here now.”
“No, I think not. Look.” His icy finger pointed to the balcony. “The woman still watches from above. She’s anxious to see who’ll have her.”
Out of Axel’s hand came a stream of fire, it flew at Icesykcus, like liquid lava. It was intensely hot, making the iceman sizzle. Steam rose as the ice broke into pieces and melted. Again, he was a large puddle of water, magically disappearing, as if seeping through the floor into the earth to escape Axel’s attack.
“Don’t go too deep, lava flows below the icy exterior of this frigid world. You’re not in Antarctica now,” Axel shouted, and again his temper shook the castle.
Icesykcus’s agonizing shrieks rang through the castle. Axel’s lips turned up in a smirk at his victory. However, the clear staircase turned black. The beautiful walls of the castle darkened more to a deeper gray. All the lights dimmed further. The battle was intense and it took a lot from Axel, making him stumble. Breanna flew down the steps to his side.
“I told you to go upstairs,” he said sternly, looking at her with his fully blackened eyes.
“I did.”
“You didn’t go to our room,” he reprimanded her.
“You didn’t tell me to. You told me to go upstairs.” Breanna rubbed his back. “I did exactly what you instructed.”
“I…never mind.” He shook his head. “You’re…lovely.” He laughed. “I see you’re a tricky one too.” He kissed her with his cool lips.
“No, I’m not,” she argued. “I did exactly what you said.”
“Help me to our bed.” He moved toward the stairs. “I need to rest before he comes back.”
“Will he come back?”
“Yes, krevellians don’t give up easily. He’s a powerful one and plenty pissed off. My mother has robbed him of something very important to him.” Axel shook his head. “She’s sent me her problem. The woman…makes me furious.” The lights flared brighter for a second.
“Why don’t you use your magic to get to bed faster?”
“I can’t waste my power.” He leaned on her. “I’m weak. I may need more power soon.”
“Oh, I see.”
She helped him up the stairs to their room. The door opened for them. Yet, the fire was nearly out. The room had cooled substantially. Axel returned to his blond, handsome self as they reached the bed’s side. Breanna helped him onto the bed, and then pulled his boots off. Helping him lay back, she covered him with the fur coverlet. She got in with him, curling close with her chest pressed against his back. His tunic vanished. After a few minutes, he seemed to be sleeping.
“Stay under the covers to keep warm.” He surprised her.
“I thought you were sleeping.”
“Not yet.”
“Don’t worry about me, you go to sleep.”
“I don’t have the energy to warm the castle.”
She rested her head against his back. He sounded hushed, too quiet. She worried. “Rest, Axel, we’re warm enough. I’ll wake you if something happens.”
“I’ll wake if we’re attacked. I can protect you,” he mumbled. “You’re safe with me, I promise.”
“I know.” She rubbed his back, then kissed it. “I trust you. You’re an excellent protector.”
His body relaxed, and he soon fell asleep. At least it seemed as if he were sleeping. Breanna lay next to him for several hours. Sleep would not come to her. All the excitement mixed with the new emotions still stirred her to be fully awake. She could not feel or hear him breathe, and it scared her. But his body felt warm, and he moved from time to time. The fireplace roared more to life after he’d rested for a bit, making her feel less concerned too. The walls of the castle were still dingy gray.
Breanna inched away from him. She looked up at the ceiling. Gone was the shimmering beauty. Everything seemed less vibrant, even her ring. She studied it. It was still made of beautiful dia
monds but its phenomenal brilliance had slightly dimmed. Sadness hung on her heart like an unbearable weight, not due to the diamonds but for her Axel.
She sat up and stepped out of the massive bed. The floor was cold, uncomfortable. Walking closer to the fireplace, she sat down in the chair he had provided earlier. “I wish I had slippers and a robe.” Golden-colored slippers appeared on her feet followed by a lovely silken robe snuggly hugging her body. She looked down, admiring her fine attire. “Axel, are you awake?” She dashed over to the side of the bed. He seemed unaware, deeply sleeping. Shrugging her shoulders, she headed out of the room.
Chapter 6
Walking down the hallway, Breanna did not know where she was heading. As she sauntered down the corridor, the lights brightened, lighting her way. “I think it’s the ring.” She stopped to touch it. It glistened, its glory now fully restored. She smiled. “I think you’re feeling better, my sweet Viking.” She kissed the ring. A pleasant pulse raced up her arm, and the walls shimmered white, then grayed once more.
The corridor took her to the rear of the castle. It had been a long walk. Moving close to the banister, she looked over. Below was a grand ballroom, so huge it could hold an army of people. The room was the full length of the middle part of the castle. Floor to ceiling windows were along the back wall. Moonlight reflected off the black marble floor, making it brighter. Six huge chandeliers that hung above all flared to life when she looked over the railing. Two fireplaces were at each end of the long room, and they too blazed with life, illuminating the grand room.
“Why do you need such a large castle when living all alone?”
“He now lives with you,” a familiar voice answered from behind her.
Breanna turned. “Mother.”
Her mother stood next to Chrisalannis. Dressed in a scarlet gown like Chrisalannis’s, she looked elegant.
“You look so young.” Breanna ran to her. She threw her arms around her and hugged her tight. “Oh, Mother, you look wonderful.” Standing back, holding both of Fiona’s hands, she stared at her mother’s transformation. “You look marvelous, so healthy and beautiful.” Gone was the haggard appearance. Instead, a warm, youthful visage stared back at her—one as familiar as her own. “It’s as if I’m looking in a mirror.” Breanna smiled, hugging her mother again. “I’m so happy to see you this way. I’ve missed the light in your eyes.”
“Yes, Queen Chrisalannis has saved me. She’s given me a gift beyond words.” Her mother’s face glowed with happiness. “She’s restored me. I’m immortal, as was my legacy as well as yours. Hema has refused me. He would not even visit with me.” She looked down. “I’m not important to him.” A tear rolled down her cheek.
“Worry not, Fiona.” Chrisalannis patted Fiona on her arm.
“I prefer to be with the ice fey. They’re gorgeous, gifted people of light, nothing like the vampires’ darker ways. I’m happy.” Her mother kissed Breanna’s cheek. Fiona’s lips were cool. “Now, where’s your Viking troll? Chrisalannis and her court have told me so many wonderful things about Axel. His ring found you. The story is so romantic.” Her mother looked wistful. “It is wonderful to have the love of such a man.” Her mother squeezed her hands. “I love you, daughter. I want your happiness.”
“What has happened here?” Chrisalannis looked around at the graying walls, her expression concerned. “Why isn’t Axel with you?”
“Someone Axel’s mother sent attacked us. He was made of black tinted ice and was raving mad. Axel made him melt back into the ground. But I fear he’ll return angrier.”
“Where’s Axel now?”
“He’s sleeping. The attacks weakened him. But he’s improved, the lights are back up, the fireplaces burn, and the walls are returning to their normal luster. At least they’re much better.” Breanna touched the ice wall. It was not nearly as cold as she thought it would be. “It was scary when everything dimmed. I was afraid for Axel. He had weakened a lot.”
“What was this iceman’s name?”
“I don’t know.” Breanna shook her head.
“Ask the ring to tell us.” Chrisalannis stepped toward Breanna and pointed at her ring.
“Ask the ring?”
“Yes, ask it to display the name of your attacker on this wall. The ring is powerful. Axel made it special for you.”
“Okay.” Breanna held her hand up, studying the ring. “Please write our attacker’s name on the wall next to where Chrisalannis stands.”
Before their eyes, the name Icesykcus appeared in black.
“Icesykcus! Damn.” Chrisalannis stomped her foot. “He’s a dangerous krevellian ice wizard. I meet him centuries ago. He’s difficult, much like Axel can be when you rub him the wrong way. But he moved to Antarctica. He’s not very social. They’re actually very similar, those two. I’ll meet with him to see what this is about.”
“No, it’s dangerous.” Breanna touched her sleeve. “Please, he’s scary.”
“Worry not, this is my land, I’m powerful. If pushed I’m scary too, as is Axel.” She rubbed Breanna’s arm. “Ask the ring what he wants.”
Breanna held the ring up again. “Tell us what Icesykcus wants from Axel. Why is he here?”
On the ice wall, an invisible finger etched a message.
Icesykcus comes to collect payment on Arta’s debt to him. Arta sent Icesykcus to Axel. Arta stole the ice krevellian’s heart from him, bringing him great pain. He’s looking for a companion to restore his loss, to warm his bed. Now he wants Breanna.
“Oh no, we can’t allow this.” Fiona stepped closer to Chrisalannis.
“No, we can’t. Arta’s always causing problems. I’ll see if Icesykcus will meet with me. I’ll try to sooth this over. He has a weakness for beautiful women. I’ll try to cool his ire. But Arta can piss off the best in the worse way. This action has only furthered the rift between her and Axel. I know it hurts him when his mother acts like she does.” Chrisalannis looked over at Breanna. “Go to him, sweet girl. Lay with him, make him feel happiness. Axel has had at times much difficulty. His mother and another have hurt him. For him to offer his heart to you is astonishingly trusting of any troll, much less one who has loved and been hurt such as him.”
“Has he mated before?”
“No. He loved a Viking princess—over a thousand years ago—but they didn’t mate. He didn’t join with her his body, heart, or magic, which is the way of most immortals.”
“What do you know about this woman?” Breanna asked. “Tell me.”
“She resembled Arta somewhat, a cool Norse beauty. When she discovered him to be a troll and she looked upon him when he took his other form, she coldly rejected him. She cast him away, calling him awful names, cursing him. For centuries, bitterness molded him. He really didn’t love her. Only his pride was hurt.” She embraced Breanna. “The ring was crafted to bring you to him, it has done so. I am very pleased. I love Axel as a brother.” She held onto Breanna’s hand. “Please love him as only a mate can do.” The ice fey queen kissed both of Breanna’s cheeks. “I welcome you, my sister. I’ve allowed your mother to become as I am, she is now an ice fey. I did this because of my love for Axel. And I’ve grown fond of Fiona quickly.” She smiled at Fiona. “Fiona does not deserve to be Forsaken.”
“I do care for him very much. How can I not? But I’m a little afraid.”
“Of what, my dear? He may look scary at times, but I swear to you that he would never harm you.”
“Sex.” Breanna looked down at her slippers. “I’m afraid to have sex. I’m innocent, and he’s so big.”
Chrisalannis threw her head back, laughing. Fiona giggled too.
“Daughter, fear not. It’s a wondrous thing with a man like Axel.” Her mother smiled tenderly at her. “The discomfort will only last a second.”
“I’m sure he will be patient and kind.” Chrisalannis grinned. “Go to him, give yourself to him freely. Follow your instincts.” She touched Breanna’s arm, and a pulse passed through her. “I’ve gi
ven you some boldness.” Her eyes twinkled. “Did you feel it?”
“Yes.” Breanna nodded. “Thank you.”
“You’ll for sure enjoy him. He’s a romantic. I only know from spending time with him over the ages. I recognized a romantic, tender spirit. I’ll send you to your bedroom door. Go to him, let go of your inhibitions, be free with him. I’ll keep Icesykcus busy so you won’t be disturbed. In fact, I’ll send some of my court to watch over the castle in case Arta drops in. Their family battle will just need to wait.” Chrisalannis winked. “Their family quarrels can be entertaining and heated, but now is not the time to interrupt your joining.”
“Yes, please send me to the door, or I can ask the ring.” Breanna held up her hand.
“Yes, you can, but it takes from Axel to use the ring’s powers. Let him rest. When you join, you’ll have power of your own, it will grow within you. But for now, I’ll send you to the door.”
To Breanna’s surprise, she only blinked and the door was right before her. “That was quick.”
The door opened, beckoning her to enter. Axel had not moved. He still lay with his back to the door. The room felt warmer as the fire burned brighter. She removed her robe, laying it at the bottom of the bed. She looked down at her gown. It was the most sensual garment she could ever imagine. She loved the way the material felt against her skin. Breanna pushed the gown off her shoulders, revealing more of her skin and cleavage. She walked over to the bed and crawled beneath the silk sheet.
“Axel,” she whispered.
He did not seem to hear her. Breanna tossed the sheet back and sat up in the bed. He lay on his side facing away from her. The bed was big so she climbed over him to face him. Wrapping her arm around him, she kissed his face.
“Axel,” she whispered near his ear. “Let’s do what we were doing before we were interrupted. I want to feel you inside of me. You’ve got me restless with need.” She ran her hand through his hair, playing with his braid. “I like your braids. They’re very attractive.”
